Investigation Reveals: 24 of Putin’s Relatives Hold High-Ranking Positions in Russian State Structures
Recent investigations by the Russian outlet «Proyekt» have uncovered a vast network of influence and nepotism among Russia’s top echelons of power.
According to journalists, at least 24 relatives of Vladimir Putin have acquired leadership roles within government agencies or closely linked entities.
Among them are family members of his wives, including Lyudmila Putina-Ocheretna, Alina Kabaeva, Svetlana Krivonogikh, and Alisa Kharchova, as well as official daughters — Maria and Katerina.
Additionally, there are cousins Евгений and Игорь Путин, as well as sisters Lyubov Shelomova and Lyubov Kruglova, who occupy significant positions in state institutions.
A notable focus of the investigation is the family of Putin’s cousin Евгений, whose relatives Анна Цивильова, Сергей Цивильов, and Михаил Путин hold key roles in the Russian government and in corporations like Gazprom and RusHydro.
The report also mentions Игорь Зеленский, the common-law husband of Putin’s daughter Katerina Tikhonova, involved in large-scale construction projects in occupied Sevastopol, and Alisa Kharchova’s father, Vsevolod Kharchov, linked to propaganda organizations.
Overall, the findings reveal a deep-rooted pattern of nepotism and familial influence shaping the Russian power hierarchy.
This investigation is part of a broader project titled «Parents and Grandparents,» dedicated to examining kinship ties within Russia’s political and economic landscape.
The source of this information is the online media «Proyekt,» founded by renowned journalist Roman Badyan, who previously led the media outlet «Dojd.» In 2021, the Russian Prosecutor’s Office declared «Proyekt» an «undesirable organization,» forcing its closure.
However, in 2022, the team launched a new outlet called «Agentstvo,» which continues to operate under the same journalistic standards, further shedding light on the inner workings of Russia’s elite and corruption networks.